2011 Calera Pinot Noir Mills Vineyard

One of the more subtle wines in the range, the 2011 Pinot Noir Mills Vineyard impresses for its sense of proportion and balance. Nothing is out of place. Black cherries, plums, crushed flowers, mint and anise develop in the glass, but ultimately the Mills is mostly about sensual, radiant texture. The highly expressive, lifted finish is a thing of beauty. There is so much to admire here. In 2011, these own-rooted vines yielded a wine of true delicacy and finesse.

The 2011 Pinot Noir Mills comes all from the limestone soils of the Mills Vineyard. Seeing 100% whole cluster inclusion during fermentation, and then aged 18 months in 30% new French oak, it’s a medium-bodied, elegant effort that has notions of Asian spices, dried flowers, sappy underbrush and ripe cherries all emerging from the glass. Showing more rose petal and minerality with time in the glass, it has nicely integrated acidity and a seamless, pure profile that’s ideal for drinking over the coming 5-7 years or more. Aug 2014, www.robertparker.com